PCG Keeps Uniting Egypt and Iran, But What About the Bible?
Gerald Flurry
The following is from one of the websites of the improperly named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG):
During the third U.S. presidential debate, Republican challenger Mitt Romney lauded the “crippling sanctions” the Obama administration has imposed on the Iranian economy. Rather than dragging Iran back to the nuclear negotiating table, however, these sanctions that both American presidential candidates seem so proud of could end up hastening the development of an axis of terrorism between Iran and Egypt…
To combat the effect of this hyperinflation, however, Iran is not even considering compromising on its nuclear program. Instead, the Iranian minister of commerce, industry and minerals has invited his Egyptian counterpart to visit Tehran at the earliest opportunity to discuss the possibility of boosting trade between their two countries…
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has been writing for 20 years that Egypt will ally with Iran to form an axis of terrorism identified in the book of Daniel as the king of the south. America’s weak-willed response to the rising threat of radical Islam is only pushing Egypt and Iran into each other’s arms all the faster. For more in-depth information of this subject, read the cover story of our October/November issue of the Philadelphia Trumpet, “Egypt Unites With Iran and Fulfills a Bible Prophecy.” ▪
Egypt and Iran are not strong allies, despite any trade arrangement. Gerald Flurry’s views on this have not been realized, despite PCG’s claims (for more details, please see PCG’s Flurry Proclaims a Prophetic Fulfillment with Egypt and Iran, But…)
Now, since PCG is proclaiming “Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has been writing for 20 years that Egypt will ally with Iran to form an axis of terrorism identified in the book of Daniel as the king of the south,” let’s look at the two passages in the Bible that seem to specifically deal with the King of the South and his allies. We will start with the Book of Daniel:
40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-43)
While Egypt is mentioned above, ancient terms for Iran, like Persia or Puwt, are not mentioned. Hence to say that Egypt and Iran will form the axis for the King of the South does not come from the only chapter in the Bible that uses the term King of the South. Now, there is another part of scripture that also seems to be referring to this confederation, which suggests that Egypt is the axis:
1 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:
“Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’ 3 For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles. 4 The sword shall come upon Egypt, And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia, When the slain fall in Egypt, And they take away her wealth, And her foundations are broken down.
5 “Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword.”
6 ‘Thus says the Lord:
“Those who uphold Egypt shall fall,And the pride of her power shall come down.From Migdol to Syene Those within her shall fall by the sword,”Says the Lord God.
7 “They shall be desolate in the midst of the desolate countries, And her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are laid waste. 8 Then they will know that I am the Lord, When I have set a fire in Egypt And all her helpers are destroyed. 9 On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships To make the careless Ethiopians afraid, And great anguish shall come upon them, As on the day of Egypt; For indeed it is coming!” (Ezekiel 30:1-9)
In the above, the focus is clearly Egypt, and to a lessor degree “Ethiopia” (which is a mistranslation, as the term refers to Cushites, who are not Iranian)–but even if some Iranians may be referred to (one word above seems to come from the Hebrew word Puwt), they are simply not the leader nor would it seem as “axis.” Furthermore, the idea that Iran is the final King of the South, as Gerald Flurry has long insisted, is simply not supported by scripture, but his own imaginations.
How could I have known so long ago that Iran would be the king of the south and clash with the Holy Roman Empire? Because of what was happening in Iran and the Middle East, coupled with Bible prophecy…
So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the king of the south. (Flurry G. Libya and Ethiopia Reveal Iran’s Military Strategy. Philadelphia Trumpet, April 2011)
How could Gerald Flurry know a falsehood about Iran being the final King of the South?
Well, since Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem, it was not from geography or the Bible. Iran might be a king of the East, but it is not the King of the South.
Time and events will prove Gerald Flurry wrong as Bible prophecy disagrees with him on many points. Including the identity of the final King of the South. The King of the South will not be Iran and Egypt and Iran are not currently strong allies (though if Iran is ever neutralized, it may decide to support Egypt as well as get Egyptian sympathy).
As far as Egypt and Iran go, there are some common economic and other interests. But what many do not realize is that what Egypt really wants is access to Iran’s nuclear technology because Egypt wants nuclear weapons. Notice some comments from a recent survey in Egypt:
87 percent of those surveyed agreed that Egypt, despite enormous financial problems and $8 billion in debt, should put its resources into developing nuclear weapons….65 percent of the respondents approving of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi government’s decision to resume diplomatic relations with Iran and 60 percent agreeing that re-establishing a relationship with Iran will be good for Egypt….A bare majority of Egyptians believe the country should be involved regionally and continue to be a leader in the Middle East…http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2265:egyptians-support-iranian-nuclear-program-want-own-nuclear-weapons&catid=106:international&Itemid=289
Almost all in Egypt want it to develop nuclear weapons and most of the population wants it to be a leader in the Middle East. And the reality is that is what the leaders of Egypt, like Dr. Morsi its president, really wants.
Egypt basically wants to arm itself and will try to gain whatever it can from Iran, not to truly ally with Iran, but to become the major player itself. Watch! (Mark 13:37).
Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” or a variety of other titles make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. This was basically the old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, but a remnant still remains into the 21st century.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
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